Millwall FC was founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885. In 1889 the club changed its name to Millwall Athletic. They went on to become founder members of the Southern League which they won for the first two years of its existence and were runners up in its third.

Millwall, who are nicknamed The Lions, moved to The Den in New Cross in 1910 and were invited to join the Football League in 1920 on the creation of the new Football League Third Division. They remained at The Den for 83 years until moving to their current ground, The New Den, in 1993.

The Lions have yet to win a major trophy but reached the FA Cup Final in 2004 losing 0–3 to Manchester United.